Syringe ampul



A. E. SMITH SYRINGE AMPUL June 25, 1929.

Filed Oct. 26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. A. E. S/VI/ TH BY v, \Q

A TTORNE Y.

A. E. SMITH SYRINGE AMPUL June 25, 1929.

Filed Oct. 26, 1927 2 shetfi efi A E. SMITH ATTORNE Patented 'J'une 25. 1929 j I 'uvrnrm. ntsuia'naor Los- '.ANGE-13JJS,= mamasYnntGE martin Application filedoctober 26, 1927. Serial No. 228,915.

This invention; relates to-improvements in ampules or similar containers.

The general object of this invention is to provide a novel ampul including separate chambers or eompartments wherein d issimila 1' ingredients are preserved and wherein means is'provided for allowing the ingredients to mix to form a desired product.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container including two compartments which are normally out of comnmnication with each other, but which can be placed in communication with each other bya novel means whei'ein the separate compartments have sealed therein the component parts necessary to provide a drug in solution.

A further object of the invention is to provide a glass ampul including a plurality of compartments wherein one compartment includes. a vehicle for the drug and wherein the ampul includes a member for forcing the solution from the-ampul.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ampul including two compartments, one of which has a movable stopper therein and wherein a frangible member separates the two compartments.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide an ampul-including two compartments one of which has a drug therein and the other contains a vehicle, and wherein novel means is provided for allowing the drug and ve-' hielc to mix and wherein each end of the ampul and the intermediate portion between the two compartments is rovided with a frangible neck portion whic may be broken.

A specific object of this invention is to pro vide a novel ampul of the class described which is adapted when one compartment has been removed to fit within a syringe for ejecting the mixed contents of the ampul.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ampul of the class described having means in the drug containing member which is adapted to act as a piston to'expel the mixed contents of the ampul.

Astill further object of this invention is to provide a novel instrument for fracturing an am )ul seal and for allowing a vehicle'to mix with the drug.

Other objects and advantages of this in-' vention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with 'the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section through my improved ampul.

sea-l bet ween the two compartments.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing. the. metallic seal fractured.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section through a movable stopper. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the stopper shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the hollowseal fracturing instrument.

Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal section of my syringe showing the improved ampul operatively positioned therein and showing the stopper of the ampul as being moved to eject the contents of the ampul therefrom, and

Fig. 10 is a side elevation partly in section of my improved ampul after the contents thereof have been ejected.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have indicated my improved ampul generally at 10. This ampul 10 as shown comprises two separate containers or compartments 11 and 12 which are preferably made of glass, fused to ether and constricted at their juncture as indicatedat 13.

The end of the compartment 11 is closed by a bulbous portion 14 and at the juncture of the compartment 11 and the bulbous portion 14 a constricted portion is provided as indicated at 15. The end of the compartment 12 is provided with a tapered neck 16 which terminates in a closed tip 17.

Between the two compartments 11 and 12 at the constriction 13 a metallic seal 18 is provided. This metallic seal is preferably a disk shaped platinum partition. as clearly shown in Fig. 4 and is fused in position when manufacturing the ampul. In the conip'artment 12 and adjacent the constriction 13 I provide a stopper indicated generally at 19 and shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. This stopper is preferably positioned in the compartment 12 before the tapered neck 16 and tip 17 are formed. Surroundin the tapered neck 16 I rovide a resilient cofiar 20 which is preferab y made of a good grade of rubber.

To render the bulbous portion 14 readily separable from the compartment 11 I prefer;

the tip 17 readily separable from the neck [(3 I may also weaken it by etching itjust below the resilient col lar as at 23.

The contents of the compartment 11 such as the vehicle 24 is preferably placed therein before the bulbous portion 14 is closed and the contents of the compartment 12 such as the drug 25 is placed therein before the tip 17 is closed. Also, before the tip 17 is closed,

. the compartment is exhausted to a state of partial vacuum.

The stopper 19 is preferably made of a good grade of rubber and includes a body portion 28 having a protruding tip 29 extending therefrom. The stopper is shown as provided with a central recess 39 which terminates short of the outer face of the tip 29. A groove 31, preferably bevelled, is provided at the juncture of the ti p 29 and the body portion so that when the stopper is used as a piston to expel the contents of the ampul the pressure exerted upon the stopper by the contents of the ampulwill cause the lower edge of the stopper to tightly grip the inner side wall of the ampul and prevent any of the ampul contents from passing the stopper.

A metallic washer 32 is provided on the face of the stopper opposite the ti p 29 and includes a central aperture 33 of approximately the same size as the recess 39. Depressed loops 34 may be formed in the washer by slitting and punching and are embedded in the material of the bodyportion 28 at the time of the moulding of the stopper 19. By provision of the loops 34 there is a piece of rubber 34 over each loop. These pieces 34 being integral with the stopper, hold the washer 32 in place.

To prepare my improved ampul 10 for use the bulbous portion 14 isbroken off at the etching 21 and a stylus 35 is inserted through the opening at the constriction 15.

The stylus 35 is shown in detail in Fig. 8 and preferably comprises a solid metal stem 36 having an enlarged collar 37 thereon adjacent one end. The end adjacent the collar 37 is formed to a. point as at 38 and a recess 39 is provided in the stem which extends from the pointed end 38 to a point just above the collar 37. Apertures 39 are provided in the stem above the collar 37 and form communicating passageways from the exterior of the I stem to the recess 39.

When the stylus 35 has been inserted into the compartment ll-it is moved downward so that it fractures and passes through the metallic partition, into the recess 30 of the when it abuts the metallic partition the end 38 is sullir'ienlly clear of the stopper 19 to allow the vehicle contained in the compartment to be drawnby the vacuum in the compartmeut12 through the apertures 39., into recess 39 and be freely discharged into the drug compartment 12, thus mixing the vehicle and the drug into a single solution.

After the vehicle and the drug have been mixed the stylus'is withdrawn and the compartment 11 separated from the compartment 12 at the. etching 22. The tip 17 is then separated from the compartment 12 at the etching 23 and the compartment 12 is then ready for use as an ampul in a' syringe.

In Fig; 9 I have shown the compartment 12 as positioned in a syringe indicated generally at- 40. lhis syringe includes a barrel 41 provided at one end with a tip 42 to which a hypodermic needle 43 is'adaptcd to be attaehed. The tip 42 of the syringe includes a tapered recess 44 into which the collar 20 on the am pul is adapted to be positioned. The syringe also includes an operating member 45 which isslidable in the syringe barrel 41 and which comprises an ampul positioning member 46 and a plunger 47. The positioning member normally moves with the plunger 47 due to the pressure of spring tongues 46'. The plunger 47 includes an enlarged head 48 and a reduced tip 49 of approximately the same size as the size of the aperture 33 in the ampul stopper washer 32. j

\Vhen the contents of the ampul or compartment 12 are to be ejected it is inserted in the barrel 41 of the syringe so that the colla 1' 20 is positioned in the tapered recess 44 of the tip 42 and then the o )erating member 45 is positioned in the syringe barrel 41 and moved towards the tip 42. As the operating member is thus moved the positioning member 46 engages the ampul and correctly centers it so that the plunger 47 .will enter the ampul through the openi ng at the constriction 13 and will engage the stopper 19.

\V hen the plunger 47 is in engagement with the stopper 19 the plunger head -13 abuts the metal washer 32 and the reduced tip 49 is positioned in the washer aperture and the stopper recess 30.

Upon further movement of the operating.

member towards the tip 42 the plunger 47 -will force the stopper 19 towards the tapered neck 16 of the ampul and cause the stopper to act as a piston to expel the con- (titints of thcampul into the hypodermic nee- The pressure required to move the stopper 19 to expel the contents of the ampul will wedge the collar 20 in the tapered recess 4-iof the tip 42 and form a fluid tight seal between the end of the ampul and the syringe.

As shown in Fig. 10 it will be seen that when the contents of the anipul or compartment 12 is ejected the tip 29 of' the stopper project's down into the tapered neck 16 and forces more of the contents of the am ul out than would be the case if a stopper iaving a plain underface were used.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that Ihave provided a novel form of ampul which can be economically manufactured. which is simple in construction and highly eflicient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An ampul comprising a tubular member including two compartments, a drug in one compartment and a. vehiclefor the drug in the other compartment, means normally preventing communication between said compartments, said means being puncturable to enable said vehicle to pass into said drug compartment to make a solution and a solid movable member in said drug compartment for forcing the solution therefrom.

2. An ampul comprising a tubular member closed at each end and having a restricted part intermediate its ends, a thin frangible foil disc fused to said restricted part to provide two compartments and a stopper positioned in one of said compartments.

3. An ampul comprising a tubular member constricted and closed at each end and having a constricted portion intermediate its ends, a frangible metallic disc fused to the inner wall of said intermediate constricted portion to provide two compartments, and a stopper positioned in one of said compartments, said stopper having a recess therein.

4. An ampul comprising a tubular member closed at each end and having a partition to provide two compartments, one end of said ampul being formed into a tapered neck, a stopper positioned in said compartment having a tapered neck, said stopper containing compartment being exhausted to a state of partial vacuum and containing a drug, the other of said compartments containing a vehicle, said stopper being positioned be-- tween said drug and said partition.

5. In combination with an ampul, a stopper positioned therein, said stopper being made of resilient material and having a recess therein, said recess terminating short of one face of said stopper, a stiff Washer secured upon the face of said stopper said washer having an aperture therein corresponding to said recess in said stopper.

6. An ampul comprising'a tubular member having a stopper positioned therein, said stopper being formed of a resilient material and including a body portion adapted to tightly engage the inner wall of said ampul, a tip protruding from one face of said body portion, a recess in said body portion extending to a point spaced from the outer face ofsaid tip, a metal washer on the face of said bod opposite to said tip, an aperture in said was ier corresponding to the size of said re cess in said body and means to hold said washer on said body.

7. A stopper for an ampul, said'stopper being formed of a resilient material and including a body portion adapted to tightly engage the inner wall of an ampul, a tip protruding from one face of said body portion, a groove at the juncture of said tip and said body portion, said groove forming a feather edge at the periphery of said body portion, a, recess in said body portion extending to a point spaced from the outer face of said tip, a washer on the face of said body opposite to said tip, an aperture in said washer corresponding to the size of said recess in said body and a pin 'ality of depressed tongues on said washer, said tongues being embedded in said body.

8. An a-mpul comprising a tubular member constricted and closed at each end and having a constricted portion intermediate its ends and having a partition in said intermediate constricted portion to provide two con1- partments, a stopper positioned in one of said compartments, said stopper being formed of a resilient material and including a body portion adapted to tightly engage the inner wall of said ampul, a tip protruding from one face of said body portion, a conical groove at the uncturo of said tip and said body portioin said groove forming a feather edge at the periphery of said body portion, a recess in said body portion extending to a point spaced from the outer face of said tip,

a washer on the face of said body opposite to said tip, an aperture in said washer corresponding to the size of said recess in said body and a plurality of depressed tongues on said washer, said tongues being embedded in said body.

9. For use with an ampul having a partition therein, a stylus including an elongated bodyprovided with a pointed end adapted to penetrate the am pul partition and a hollow portion adjacent to one end, means on said stylus to limit its movement through the par tition, said hollow extending along the body and means remote from the pointed end of said body to provide connnunication between the hollow' port-ion and the exterior of said stylus.

10. In a stylus, an elongated body having an open end and having a hollow portion communicating with said end, means on said stylus to limit its movement through an aperture, said hollow extending along the body and an aperture extending into and intersecting said hollow portion to provide communication be tween the hollow portion and the exterior of,

. said stylus.

11. An ampul comprising a tubular member having a partition intermediate its ends to. provide two compartments, the end of one of said compartments being tapered and bein g closed by a tip, an end of the other of said compartments being restricted and closed by a bulbous part, said tapered portion being circuuiferentially etched on its outer periph cry to thereby render said tip readily breakable therefrom, a similar etched part at said restricted closed end of said second mentioned compartment to render. said bulbous part readily breakable and another similar etched part adjacent to said partition to thereby render said two compartments readily separable from each other, said tapered end of said first compartment having a resilient circumferential band disposed thereon adjacent the said etching thereon.

12. An ampul comprising a tubular member having a constricted portion intermediate its ends, and having a frangible member. on the inner wall of said intermediate constricted portion to provide two compartments, the ends of said compartments being closed, one

' of said compartments having a stopper positioned therein adjacent said constriction, said stopperbeing made of a resilient material and having a recess therein, said recess terminating short of the face of said stopper, a washer on the face of said stopper which is towards said intermediate constricted portion, said washer having an aperture therein corresponding to said recess in said stopper.

13. An ampul comprising a tubular member having a constricted portion intermediate its ends, and having a frangible partition fused to the inner wall of said intermediate constricted portion to provide two compartments, the end of one of said compartments being tapered and being closed by a tip, the

end of the other of said compartments being 4 restricted and closed by abulbous part, said tapered portion being circumferentially etched on its outer periphery to thereby render said tip readily breakable, asimilar etched part at said restricted closed end of said second mentionedcompartment to thereby render said bulbous part readily breakable therefrom, another similar-etched part at said intermediate constricted portion to thereby render saidtwo compartments readily separable from each other, said tapered end of said first compartment having a resilient circumferential band disposed thereon adj acent said etching, said taper ended compartment having a stopper positioned therein adjacent 60 said intermediate constriction, said stopper being made of arcsilient material.

14. An ampul of the class described comprising a body portion, means to close one end of said body portion, a stopper movable in 6 said body and normally. located opposite to said closed end, said body between said closed end and said stopper being exhausted.

15. An ampul of the class described comprising a body portion having a neck ternii- 7o nating in a closed tip, a reduced portion at the end of said body opposite said neck, said ampul being constricted between saidbody and said reduced portion, a stopper in said body adjacent said constricted portion, said 7 stopper being adapted to be moved in said body, a penetrable artition adjacent said reduced portion, said stopper having a cavity therein, said cavity having an open end disposed adjacent to said artition.

In testimony whereof, hereunto aflix my signature,

ARTHUR E. SMITH. 4 

